Comment from Whitney Matheson:
Hello! I'm here for an hour, so send along your questions. I have a feeling many will be Oscar-related ...Arlington, VA:
What's your biggest Oscar snub? Lots of people are wondering why 'Closer' didn't get more nods (though a thumbs-up for Natalie Portman!), I'm wondering why 'Eternal Sunshine' got dissed for Best Picture (though maybe the "shaky camera" made them nauseous), and still others are fuming over 'Passion of the Christ' (which I thought wasn't that good in terms of being a movie).

Whitney Matheson:
Ah, the snubs. I, for one, do NOT think 'Closer' should have been nominated for anything else -- Clive and Natalie were the best things about that flick, which is far from the best picture of the year. But yeah, more 'Sunshine' would've been nice. I don't care much for 'Passion,' but I did enjoy Peter Sarsgaard in 'Kinsey.' And Sarsgaard in 'Garden State.' All in all, 2004 was Year of the Sarsgaard for me.Boston Mass:
How come there isn't a talk show channel to show old reruns of Johnny, Merv and Mike?

Whitney Matheson:
I'm guessing it's because of rights issues or (less likely) because no one has thought of that yet! But if you're lucky enough to get the Trio network, you can see classic episodes of 'Late Night with David Letterman' from the NBC days every night at 10 p.m. (Unfortunately, my cable doesn't offer the network, so I've never seen for myself!)Boston Mass:
Which Bright Eyes album should I get?

Whitney Matheson:
Glad you asked. I've been listening to both all week, and I have to say 'I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning' is the better disc. Then again, I'm a sucker for any song that features Emmylou Harris on backing vocals.Lima, kentucky:
Who will win best doc? Would Farenheit 911 been a shoo in to win if it had been nominated?

Whitney Matheson:
I've only seen two of the nominated documentaries so far -- 'Super Size Me' and 'Tupac.' Frankly, I'm shocked 'Metallica: Some Kind of Monster' isn't up for the award. But I'd place my money on 'Super Size Me' to win.Frackville, PA:
Hey W, have you seen "Without A Paddle" on DVD yet? I expected nothing, but I found it to be the most entertaining movie of the summer after Spider-Man2.

Whitney Matheson:
Seriously? Haven't seen it ... I was planning to wait until it came on cable, but maybe I should reconsider.

Last weekend, while I was snowed in, I watched a ton of movies, including that 'Dawn of the Dead' remake. (You know I'm not a horror buff ...) I must say, I was blown away by how good it was! And I watched the unrated director's cut, so I'm not sure what bonus material I actually saw.Frackville, PA:
As far as music... Have you heard any buzz on the Strokes in 2005?

That new album is still in the works. They'll tour later this year, too.pa:
Paris Hilton is hosting SNL. Please tell me its a joke. please. You know what what, dont get me started.

Whitney Matheson:
Hey, I'm not gonna judge until I see it ... I thought Nick and Jessica were a terrible idea, but they ended up being hilarious. Ditto for Justin Timberlake's hosting gig, which turned out to be one of the best episodes of the last three years.Clemmons, NC:
Not a big fan of Colin Farrell since I just don't see what the fuss is about, but his visit to SCRUBS last night was rather decent. Then again any of those Silver Foxes could show up and I would still think it was awwwsome. Since I TiVo now I never saw any promos for his appearance -- did NBC milk the crud out of it?

Whitney Matheson:
He wasn't bad on 'Scrubs' ... I just hope that show doesn't become the next 'Will & Grace.' Once you start booking too many guest stars, you need to re-evaluate. (This week it was announced that Clay Aiken will guest on an upcoming episode. Who knows what subplot THAT will bring ...)Saint Paul, Minnesota:
Do you think Hillary Swank will win for Best Actress?

Whitney Matheson:
I do think she'll win, but I'm pulling for Kate Winslet!St. Louis MO:
This may be blasphemous- but what is Henry Rollins doing reviewing movies?

Whitney Matheson:
He makes more sense than a lot of critics ... but I know what you're talking about. IFC's 'Henry's Film Corner' was a good idea in theory. In reality, it could use a tune-up. (But I direct that more toward the guests than Hank himself.)Dallas TX:
Did you get a chance to watch Shaun of the Dead?

Whitney Matheson:
I did, and I loved it ... not what I expected at all. I watched all the extras once I was done.Colorado Springs:
Did you see The Amazing Race in Sri Lanka last night? It was so touching. I kept wondering how many of those people were still alive.
Thank you for the Jake Ryan info. I had no idea I wasn't the only 30-something woman holding out for a man like him. :)

Whitney Matheson:
Personally, I was more of a Lloyd Dobler girl, but I can understand the obsession ...Lincoln, NE:
It's Kiefer madness!! Kiefer on "24". Kiefer on "Inside the Actor's Studio". How wondeful is he?? I love it!! I think today I will go and buy some DVD copies of his movies. I think "Flatliners" and "Flashback", maybe "1969". Anyway, back to "24", how glad were you when Behrooz got away?? I think his mother and Behrooz will help Jack eventually. And Audrey's ex has got to be a bad guy. Plus, it's just so nice to see Jack smile!!!

Whitney Matheson:
I'm really pulling for Behrooz ... although where the heck is Lukas Haas? I was hoping to see a lot more of him.

My favorite Kiefer flicks: 'Lost Boys' and 'Stand By Me.' And don't forget 'Young Guns' ...Arlington, VA:
If you were in Hades with no choice, which would you watch for all eternity: 'The Simple Life' or 'The Surreal Life?'

Whitney Matheson:
Oh, what a horrifying thought. I'll go with 'Surreal Life.' Unlike Paris and Nicole, who I find easy to ignore, sometimes I flip past 'Surreal' and can't look away.Washington, DC:
Hi Whitney. I was watching "The Bachelorette" the other day (please forgive me, there was nothing else on!) and I noticed once again, there was one token minority on the show and of course he got the boot on the second week. Do you think a minority could ever win this show?

Whitney Matheson:
Yes, although I wish they'd pick a minority 'Bachelor' or 'Bachelorette.' Even better, I wish they'd cancel the series!Murrayville,Georgia:
Hi Whit?
What do you think of Nicole Richies new look? Will you be watching Simple Life 2?

Whitney Matheson:
It's fine, I guess. I won't be watching a minute of 'Simple Life' if I can help it ... give up 'Alias' for Paris and Nicole? Are you kidding me?Washington, DC:
Are you looking forward to or dreading the lesbian story arc coming up on The OC? I feel like this is a deadend plot-wise, a little like Oliver Trask from last year.

Whitney Matheson:
I feel the same way. I'm still watching 'The O.C.' (in fact, I have to finish this week's edition of the 'Annotated O.C' after this chat), but the show hasn't lived up to last season. Not only is the Bait Shop a bore, but the new characters -- Zach, Alex, Lindsay -- are taking away precious time from the regulars we've grown to love.cleveland, ohio:
I'm disappointed in both the Golden Globes and the Oscars lack of appreciation for 'garden state'. Sure, it definitely wasn't top film, but I thought for sure it could make 'best screenplay' ... your thoughts on the snub?

Whitney Matheson:
Well, maybe if that ending had been a little different ... Honestly, I'm happy with the current nominees. Can't say I expected to see 'Garden State' alongside them.Memphis, TN:
I haven't seen Million Dollar Baby yet so I can't comment on Clint Eastwood's Oscar nomination for best actor, but I have seen Sideways and I think that Paul Giamotti was robbed! That was a fantastic performance and he should definitely have been nominated. What say you, Whitney?

Whitney Matheson:
It was tough competition, that's for sure. The weird thing is, the whole episode seems to come straight from a Giamatti movie. His next film could be called 'The Snub,' where he plays a lovable actor who perpetually gets ignored.Patrick AFB, FL:
Hey there Whitney!
I wanted so much to disagree you over "Pointe Pleasant", but I just couldn't. It just seemed like it was trying way too hard, felt like they were giving away too much so as to hook you in. I guess they haven't been watching "Lost" where they've mastered the "less is more" concept. I do give them credit for one thing though. When the Judy character was describing the town's boat review she called it "totally Guffman." Props for the semi-obscure Christopher Guest reference. YFMF

Whitney Matheson:
Haha. Yeah, I wanted to love 'Pleasant,' and maybe I'll give it another shot, but the pilot just didn't move me. That post-'O.C.' timeslot could keep it afloat, though.New York, NY:
Seems to be more bickering amongst the judges this year on the latest season of American Idol, do you think that stuff is staged or is there something to it???

Whitney Matheson:
If you had to spend hours on end listening to Paula and Simon, wouldn't you be bickering? I don't know how Randy takes it. While touring with Journey, he must've learned some sort of relaxation technique.South Carolina:
Hi Whitney! Leo or Jamie for Best Actor? My pick is Jamie all the way!

Whitney Matheson:
I'd love to see Jamie give another acceptance speech. But oh, couldn't this be Depp's year? I though 'Finding Neverland' was a pretty underrated film ... and he was magical in it, as usual.Pittsburgh, PA:
Are you a fan of the band Low? Any thoughts on their sound and new album "The Great Destroyer?" I think it's great stuff.

Whitney Matheson:
Ooh, I haven't heard the new one -- didn't it just come out yesterday? Thanks for the tip ... I love having so much good new music to listen to during the winter months!Washington, DC:
Just saw "Garden State" last night. Late, I know. But I think I could develop a Jake Ryan-sized crush on Zach Braff. Hopefully he has more great things to come.

Whitney Matheson:
I'm sure he does, though the only new project I've heard about is an animated kiddie flick. (He voices Chicken Little.) Watch the trailer here: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/chickenlittle/Miami Fla:
Debbie Gibson and Tiffany in Playboy, does that mean in 15 years we will see Britney and Christina?

Whitney Matheson:
Possibly, although by then I'm not sure we'd able to see anything -- at the rate they're going, they'll be covered in tattoos by 2010.Baltimore, MD:
What did you think about Farenheit 9/11's snub? I'm the biggest liberal out there, but Michael Moore's smug attitude about this propoganda made me sick!

Whitney Matheson:
I kind of expected snubs for '9/11' and 'Passion.' The omission of Paul Giamatti was, to me, far more surprising!Baltimore Maryland:
Austin City Limits has Pixies clips on their site at http://www.pbs.org/klru/austin/tvschedule/. Did you see Modest Mouse last week? They are the hippest show around!

Whitney Matheson:
Thanks for the link. Unfortunately, the show comes on at 1 a.m. where I live, so I haven't been able to check it out. But I can always hope for a DVD release (or I could pony up for TiVo).Grand Haven, MI:
I am still loving LOST, and I just heard one of the characters will be killed off before the end of this season. Locke is my favorite on the show. And I like the "bad-guy" - can' think of his name off the top of my head. Who do you think will be killed off?

Whitney Matheson:
I can tell you who they could afford to lose: Claire (now that she's had the baby) or Shannon. But both Ian Somerhalder and Dominic Monaghan have decent shots at film careers, so they might not have an issue with leaving.Plano,Texas:
Please explain the ending to donnie darko to me,i dont want to watch it twice
and have already returned it...

Whitney Matheson:
I'd rather not, especially since the director's cut is coming on DVD soon. But read this, and you may find some answers: http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/feature/2004/07/23/darko/index_np.htmlComment from Whitney Matheson:
I'm out of time! Thanks for the questions -- see you next week, barring a blizzard or some sort of exercise-related injury.